I looked for almost a year to find the right bag. I ordered and returned 8 different bags during this search. While I found a lot of interesting options, I was looking for a specific combination of features. I love a vertical bag, easy to carry and handle; I wanted room for my computer and ipad as well as the various gadgets I use while travelling, presenting, etc.; plus a wanted to be able to carry a few client files and a notepad. Most messenger bags did not give me enough room for all this... In fact this is the only vertical bag I found that gave me everything I wanted. This bag is perfect. I have not used the backpack feature but I can see it would be very easy to do. Recommended.
Though I like many things about this bag, there are some problems as well and I think that, at this price, you should have higher expectations. My main complaint is the laptop compartment. It is padded on the bottom and sides but not near enough. It really needs more padding on the bottom to prevent damage from a drop. I also don't understand why the laptop compartment was put on the outside. There is a middle compartment for papers but this would be the ideal place to put the laptop, sandwiched between the main general compartment (pens, keys, wallets) on one side and the paper compartment on the other. Even with the padding in the laptop compartment, I plan on putting in some semi-ridgid plastic guards with more padding to protect the laptop and may just switch to the center compartment altogether with my padding modifications.
The other problem is that the clips on the shoulder straps can be twisted in a way that they unclip from the bag. This usually happens when the bag has been set down then you pick it up by the strap. I've had a clip disconnect at least 5 times this way in a little over a month of ownership. This is a problem that you can get used to and avoid but still should not be an issue for a bag at this price.
In summary, it's a good bag and I'm glad I have it. With some minor changes it could be a 5 star bag.
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My first month with this bag has been exceptional. Assembly quality is very high, lifetime warranty convinced me to take the plunge, and it holds all of my gear: MacBookPro 15, MacBookAir 11, kindle, mouse, camera, all cables/connectors, small toiletries kit (never know when the airline is going to loose your bag, eh?), external HD, Wireless hotspot, small flashlight, checkbook, iPhone, wallet, keys, 3 magazines, 1 book, 1 pad, sunglasses, and I can just fit my Bose QC15's. A cocoon Grid-it holds all cables and small stuff in the main compartment. That being said, it can hold NOTHING else. Bag is full, but not bulging.Clean an organized, very little to snag on the outside, professional look, and (drum roll) the slot on the back of the bag to slip through the extended handle of my rolling bag. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THIS! Pro tip with Roller bag in upper storage, this bag is at my feet. Unclasp one end of the strap and connect it to the magazine slot when you sit down much easier to pull it up to dig stuff out in flight. The shoulder strap feels OK, I like the sewn-in large pad that converts to a backpack. Yet to use it like that, but still a solid option.
Request for improvement: The outside zippered bottle holder needs to be larger, and probably have a drawcord to snug it up (I've dropped my bottle twice on folks while getting seated). The key pocket, while a good idea, needs to be deeper. I agree that a little more cushion on the bottom of the laptop slot would be smart not necessary, but smart. Needs two more pen holders. Of the two organizer pockets inside, only one has a velcro-close top they both need this. Shoulder strap needs grippy stuff on the pad, it tends to slip unless you wear it across your chest (messenger bag style).
Why not 5 stars? Fix the stuff above or cut the price to $120.
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I use this backpack for business travel and mix and match with two other Briggs & Riley products, depending on the length of my travel. It is fantastic and well worth the extra $$. It is a thoughtfully crafted small backpack that has all (and more) of the practical storage that I need (including one for a small bottled drink) and looks professional enough for a meeting with a suit. I was skeptical about the orange interior, but appreciate its contrast against all of the black things that I keep in the pack and used to have a hard time finding with previous, black lined pockets. My only complaint is that (sometimes, depending on what I am wearing) one shoulder strap will begin to slip off my shoulder. It is only a problem when needing to move quickly and without hassle. The solution is to cinch with shoulder straps tighter, but (depending on what Im wearing) then it is difficult to take off . Perhaps have an optional chest clasp. It is great, and I am glad (again) to have spent a little extra on such a well-designed, useful product.Want Briggs & Riley Luggage Boost Convertible Brief Discount?
This is about my 6th B&R bag so there were no surprises that quality was great, zippers worked, and things were generally well thought out etc. One small detail, the lip is too large on the front pocket to make easy access to the zipper, on the plus side, it is more pickpocket proof. I did try to make the back strap pop off like in other reviews, but I could not, maybe they have revised it and fixed the problem it is a model vb404.4 version. Anyways, like the bag fine I have never been disappointed with Briggs and Riley.Update 6/23/13
The strap did unexpectedly let go to other day. Bag dropped, nothing serious and I could not easily determine why it happened, but it does and did happen to me now. I guess they need to update the strap clasp somehow, maybe a drop over shield, like Tumi uses, or some other form of secondary release protection. I am still liking the bag.
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